Introducing NVision50, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the NVCOG Region
About the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
As the regional planning agency and a Metropolitan Planning Organization, NVCOG must prepare a long-range transportation plan every four years that lays out the vision for transportation in the future. NVision50: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the NVCOG and the Central Naugatuck Valley MPO lays out a comprehensive vision for transportation in our region leading up to 2050. Thank you to all who provided comments, participated in surveys or meetings, or contributed information to the NVision50 process. NVision50 was adopted by the NVCOG board on March 17, 2023, and now serves as the long-range plan for the region until the next update in 2027.
Updating our Plan
NVCOG staff has dedicated hours of work to NVision50 over the past year, culminating in the draft document presented below. Feedback from residents and stakeholders has been critical as we developed the long-term vision for transportation in our region, and we’re excited to gather feedback on the result! The NVCOG Transportation Technical Advisory Committee endorsed NVision50 at their March 1st meeting, and the full plan was adopted by the NVCOG board on March 17th.
We want your feedback!
NVision50 is now available for public review and comment. The formal public comment period will run from February 6, 2023, through March 17, 2023, culminating with public comments at the CNVMPO Board meeting. A hybrid public information session will be on February 16 at 6 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) offices at 49 Leavenworth St., Waterbury, CT, and via Zoom. In addition, a virtual town hall-style meeting will be held on March 9 from 3 to 7 p.m. At that meeting, the public can comment on the MTP and ask questions about the document. The public may also comment by email at contactus@nvcogct.gov or by calling NVCOG’s offices at 203-757-0535. Comments can also be sent in writing to the NVCOG office c/o Rich Donovan, Director of Transportation Planning, 49 Leavenworth St., Waterbury, CT 06702.
Chapter 1 – Regional Profile Draft
Chapter 2 – Federal Planning Factors
Chapter 3 – Transportation Issues and Goals Draft
Chapter 5 – Public Transit Systems
Chapter 6 – Active Transportation
Chapter 9 – Sustainable Transportation
Chapter 10 – Transit Safety and Security
Chapter 11 – Emerging Technologies
Chapter 12 – Capital Improvement Plan
Draft Project Tables – Appendix A
Survey Responses – Appendix B
Public Comments and Responses – Appendix C
Air Quality Conformity Determination – Appendix D
Bridgeport-Stamford Congestion Management Process – Appendix E
Transportation in our Region:
The Waterbury Line of Metro North plays a critical role in connecting the communities of the Naugatuck Valley. CTDOT and Metro North recently completed projects to add passing sidings, modern signals, and PTC (positive train control) to the Waterbury line, allowing for the addition of 7 more trains per day in the 2022 fiscal year.
The following resources represent the planning effort around rail in the region:
Central Connecticut Rail Study – this study looks at the possibility of upgrading freight service and restarting passenger service on the existing track between the Waterbury Station and the Hartford Line through Bristol.
CTDOT is currently updating the state rail plan, a federally backed statewide plan identifying priorities and benefits of rail within the region.
NVCOG is in the final stages of preparing a Route 8/Waterbury Line Alternative Modes Study identifying opportunities for improved service, economic development, and better connections throughout the Naugatuck Valley.
Public transit in the Greater Naugatuck Valley provides options for residents and visitors while helping to mitigate congestion and transportation related greenhouse gas output. The region is served by several districts of Connecticut Transit, Greater Bridgeport Transit, an extension of the Connecticut Fastrak system, and the Valley Transit District.
WATS – NVCOG completed and adopted the Waterbury Area Transit Study in 2017 recommending specific service improvements to bus service in the region.
Concurrently with the 2023 MTP, NVCOG staff is creating the Greater Naugatuck Valley Active Transportation Plan.
The majority of trips in the NVCOG Planning Region are taken by car, and our robust network of highways, roads, and local streets makes up the backbone of our transportation system. Anchored by Interstate 84 and the Route 8 expressway, our road network is aging and prone to delays.
As we envision the transportation system of 2045, we seek to identify and propose solutions to the areas of our highway system that currently underperform while offering alternatives to those who can’t or don’t want to drive.
An equally important focus of the MTP is the movement of goods throughout the region. As part of the North East Mega Region, freight in the NVCOG Planning region involves a lot more than the goods coming to our municipalities. The freight infrastructure in our region supports the movement of goods throughout the region.
CTDOT is currently working to update the statewide freight plan, off of which NVCOG will make updates to our regional plan.
As part of the Metropolitan Area Planning Forum, NVCOG is included in a Freight Alternative Fuels Corridor Study
Our region is home to one general aviation airport. The Oxford-Waterbury Airport is administered by the Connecticut Airport Authority and provides recreational as well as commercial air services.
The CAA is currently updating their long term plan for the Oxford-Waterbury Airport.
Public Meeting Schedule:
CNVMPO Board Meeting: In addition to the standard public comment item on the NVCOG meeting agenda, the CNVMPO will hold individual opportunities for the public to address the board prior to discussion and potential adoption of the plan. The meeting is open to all; details can be found here.
Public Information Session: At 6 PM on Thursday, February 16, a hybrid information session was held. This session’s recording is available on the NVCOG’s YouTube page and includes a detailed presentation of the plan and its expected impacts to transportation in the region.
Virtual Listening Session: On March 9, 2023, NVCOG staff was available from 3 PM to 7 PM via Zoom to accept comments and answer questions about NVision50. This open session did not receive any comments, so a video for this session will not be posted but can be made available upon request. A short presentation with details about additional feedback opportunities was presented and can be found here.
Self Paced Presentation:
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Staff Contact
Rich Donovan
Director of Transportation Planning
rdonovan@nvcogct.gov
(203) 489-0361